[The_Rorschach]

Well, I'm not so sure about this "vision". Wouldn't you say that one of the key reasons our elected officials have become less responsible would be the lack of a civic responsibility in America? In other words, if our politicians are corrupt and immoral, isn't it more a reflection of a broad national problem as opposed to merely a governmental problem...?

Thats pretty much exactly what I am trying to say, though perhaps I was too vague in doing so. I find myself looking at the system itself, as it is outlined, and finding it resplendent with neither mar nor imperfection, save that it is too weak to protect itself from abuse by those whom are supposed to be guarding it. A line of thinking which is. . .Distressing to say the least.

On the note of immorality: Our leaders have ALWAYS been immoral, they've always cheated on their wives, hadchildren out of wedlock, have been alcoholics, Jefferson was TERRIBLE with his personal finances, etc. etc.

The moral lapses of past presidents do exist, but for the majority, they were deviances from the norm for otherwise virtuous individuals. Taft and Grant ran under campaigns riddled with corruption, using their time in office to improve their own lives rather than the condition of their country but they were the exceptions, not the rule. In regards to Jefferson, perhaps I am merely keeping my head in the sand, but I disregard many of the 'revisionist' findings which have suddenly come to light. The Declaration of Independance disappeared for some forty years after it was written before resurfacing, and only a few weeks ago was the personal finance log of Congress found during renovations. . .With our nations history as badly scattered as it is, I place little trust in that which seems overly extraordinary.

Like I have said, government corruption, as well as immorality, has ALWAYS been an issue. So perhaps the important question may be does this system cultivate and ENCOURAGE such immorality and corruption....?

That really is the question. I believe I referred to this in a past E-Mail, but the Federalist Papers were written under the assumption than man is inherently amoral. Many of Publius' arguments seem to rest on the foundation of a darkened and untrustworthy world. For him, nothing could be more obvious than that “men are ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious.” Since Publius' work is the dominate interpretation of the Consitutition I believe we can safely say that the system was designed neither to cultivate nor encourage corruption and immorality, but to guard against by making assurances that any liberties taken above and beyond one's prescribed power would infringe upon anothers thus creating such contention noone could help but act within their limitations.

GodDAMN, it's tough to hold out hope.

I agreed with much of what you said, but nothing struck a chord quite so well as you're conclusive statement.